An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) includes a body constructed to enable the UAV to fly and three or more legs connected to the body and configured to land and perch the UAV on a curved ferromagnetic surface. Each leg includes a first portion connected to the body, a second portion including a magnet and configured to magnetically attach and maintain the magnetic attachment of the leg to the ferromagnetic surface during the landing and perching, and a passive articulation joint connecting the first and second portions and configured to passively articulate the second portion with respect to the first portion in response to the second portion approaching the ferromagnetic surface. The UAV further includes a releasable crawler including magnetic wheels which detach the crawler from the body during the perching and maneuver the crawler on the ferromagnetic surface while magnetically attaching the crawler to the ferromagnetic surface after detachment.

Disclosed is a mobile articulated crane having a boom for carrying a load when the crane is stationary and while the crane is mobile. The boom has an end for engaging with a load and an opposed end. The crane further comprises a counterweight attached to the boom at or close to the opposed end of the boom. A rear body of the crane can comprise first and second rear axles, each for supporting the rear body on the ground. The first rear axle can be arranged to be displaced relative to the second rear axle such that wheels of the first rear axle selectively engage or disengage with the ground.

Systems and apparatuses include a tag axle system including an axle assembly, a linkage coupling the axle assembly to a vehicle chassis, and a hydraulic cylinder coupled between the vehicle chassis and the axle assembly. The hydraulic cylinder actuates the axle assembly between a raised position and a lowered position, and acts as a spring damper suspension component.

Systems and apparatuses include a tag axle system including an axle assembly, a linkage coupling the axle assembly to a vehicle chassis, and a hydraulic cylinder coupled between the vehicle chassis and the axle assembly. The hydraulic cylinder actuates the axle assembly between a raised position and a lowered position, and acts as a spring damper suspension component.

The invention relates to a vehicle comprising a first vehicle part (16) and a second vehicle part, wherein the first vehicle part (16) comprises a first running wheel (37, 38) rotatable about a first axis of rotation (59) and the second vehicle part comprises a second running wheel rotatable about a second axis of rotation. The first running wheel (37, 38) and the second running wheel have the same miming-wheel diameter. A first bearing means for rotatably mounting the first running wheel and a second bearing means for rotatably mounting the second miming wheel are interconnected by means of a joint mechanism (17) in such a way that the orientation of the first axis of rotation (59) and of the second axis of rotation relative to each other can be varied. By means of the joint mechanism (17), the vehicle can be transferred continuously from a first driving configuration with the first and second axes of rotation inclined relative to each other into a second driving configuration with the first and second axes of rotation parallel, and in the second driving configuration a distance of a first contact surface of the first miming (37, 38) from a second contact surface of the second miming wheel is less than one tenth of the running-wheel diameter.

The invention relates to a vehicle comprising a first vehicle part (16) and a second vehicle part, wherein the first vehicle part (16) comprises a first running wheel (37, 38) rotatable about a first axis of rotation (59) and the second vehicle part comprises a second running wheel rotatable about a second axis of rotation. The first running wheel (37, 38) and the second running wheel have the same miming-wheel diameter. A first bearing means for rotatably mounting the first running wheel and a second bearing means for rotatably mounting the second miming wheel are interconnected by means of a joint mechanism (17) in such a way that the orientation of the first axis of rotation (59) and of the second axis of rotation relative to each other can be varied. By means of the joint mechanism (17), the vehicle can be transferred continuously from a first driving configuration with the first and second axes of rotation inclined relative to each other into a second driving configuration with the first and second axes of rotation parallel, and in the second driving configuration a distance of a first contact surface of the first miming (37, 38) from a second contact surface of the second miming wheel is less than one tenth of the running-wheel diameter.

A variable wheel drive electric vehicle comprises a chassis; a first axle disposed on the chassis comprising: a pair of opposed first axle ends; a pair of first axle hubs attached to the first ends, a pair of motive wheels configured for rotatable disposition on the first hubs, and a pair of electric hub motors each comprising a stator and a rotor, the rotors configured for reversible motive rotation of the motive wheels by and about the stators; a second axle disposed on the chassis comprising: a pair of opposed second axle ends; a pair of second axle hubs attached to the second ends; a pair of non-motive wheels configured for rotatable disposition on the second hubs; and a pair of hub motor blanks each comprising a stator blank and rotor blank, the rotor blanks configured for reversible non-motive rotation of the non-motive wheels by and about the stator blanks.

Apparatus and associated methods relate to a vehicle having independent fluid reservoirs for a fluid-activated brake system and at least one auxiliary fluid consumer. In an illustrative example, a first reservoir may be mounted above a chassis and outboard of a vehicle such that longitudinal axes of the reservoir and the vehicle are substantially aligned. The first reservoir may, for example, be fluidly coupled to a fluidly activated brake configured to brake at least one wheel on at least one axle of the vehicle and fluidly coupled to the first reservoir. At least one second reservoir may be fluidly coupled to at least one auxiliary fluid consumer of the vehicle such that the first reservoir is fluidly independent from the at least one second reservoir and the at least one auxiliary fluid consumer. Various embodiments may advantageously provide stable air supply for critical braking functions of the vehicle.

An autonomous mobile robot is provided. The autonomous mobile robot includes an upper module including a cargo space provided therein, and a cover, a lower module positioned under the upper module and providing a driving force, and a driving module provided in the lower module, in which the driving module includes a plurality of pairs of wheels capable of asynchronously contacting a road surface or ground so as to overcome a step or a stair.

The disclosure provides an electric quad vehicle, a control system, and method of operation. The electric quad vehicle may include a central hub and four legs, each pivotably mounted to the central hub, each leg including an electric motor rotatably coupled to a wheel. Each leg may include a joint allowing the leg to bend to a retracted state with the wheel adjacent the central hub. The electric quad vehicle may include handle bars extending from the central hub including rider controls of acceleration and steering. The electric quad vehicle may include a control system configured to translate rider input to the rider controls into control signals for each of the electric motors.